Combined receptacle and chain for keys.



A. H. FIELD.

COMBINED REGEPTAOLE AND CHAIN FOR KEYS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 25, 1909.

946,1 19. Patented Jan. 11,1910.

" 34401244 607, Wweooeo zfl/lf ALBERT H. FIELD, 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

COMBINED RECEPTACLE Ann CHAIN FOR ai's.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 25, 1909. Serial No. 524,490.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT H. FIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Receptacles and Chains for Keys; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the'invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use th same.

This invention relates to a combined receptacle and chain for rings of keys.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of this character by means of which a. large bunch of keys may be secured and carriedin the pocket without any inconvenience and without wear to the clothmg.

Another object is to provide a key receptacle which will be strong, durable and inexpensive in construction, neat and attractive in appearance, and well adapted to the urpose for which it is designed.

I ith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction combination and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the ap ended claims.

In t e accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the inventionshowing the receptacle closed with the keys retracted therein. Fig. 2, is a longitudinal sectional view showing the receptacle open and the keys in a retracted position therein. Fig. 3, is a perspective view showing the receptacle open! and the keys in position for use. Fig. 4, is a perspective view of a modified form of the receptacle, showing the same closed; and .Fig. 5, is a similar view showing the receptacle open.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1, denotes the receptacle or case, which is preferably formed of leather but which may be constructed of metal, canvas or'other suitable material. The receptacle is of flat rectangular shape having rounded corners, whereby a smooth attractive surface is provided, and which will facilitate the easy insertion and removal of the receptacle in and from the pocket. The receptacle 1 is closed at its upper end and at its lower end is shown in the first fi res of the drawings, as being provided with a closing flap 2,

whidi is adapted to be brought up over the lower open end of the receptacle and is provided with the socket member 3, of'a resilient fastening, the opposite or stud member 4, of which is secured to the side of the re ceptacle as shown. In the closed upper end of the receptacle is formed a series of openings 5, the purpose ofw hich will hereinafter appear.

Arranged in the receptacle 1, and slidably engaged with the apertures 5, is a loop shaped key holding chain '6, on the lower part of which are engaged keys which are to be carried by the receptacle. The key holding chain 6, has its upper free endsiconnected with a ring 7, with which may be detachably secured one end of an ordinary key chain 8, whereby the keys and the receptacle may be fastened to the clothing.

In addition to the chain 6, I may, if desired, provide an additional chain 9,-for individually supporting a special key or one that is more frequently used than the other keys so that this articular key may be readily singled out For use. The chain 9, is connected at its upper end to the ring 7 and also engages one .of the openings 5, in the casing or receptacle. The special key for which the chain.9, is provided, is preferably connected directly to the lower endof the chain as shown. It will be obvious that this additional chain may be dispensed with if desired and similar loop chains provided. The lower portions of the chains 6 and 9, pass through spaced apertures 10, in the spreader bar 11, which is adapted to fit within the casing or receptacle 1, when the latter is in position over the keys, said bar holds the chain in position to spread the keys, whereby when the latter are in operative position out of the casing'or receptacle, the desired keymay be readily singled out and used.

In operation-of the device, when it is desired to use a key, the flap 2, of the receptacle is unfastened and the latter slipped up on the upper ortions of the chain t ereby exposing the eys below the same when the desired key may be found and used. After the keys are used they are retracted into or the receptacle slipped down .on to the same until all of the keys are covered after which the closing flap 2, is'brought around and fastened, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, of the drawings.

In Figs. 4 and 5, of the drawings, is

Patented Jan. ii, ieio.

shown a slightly modified form of the receptacle, the latter being shown in this instance as constructed without the closing flap '2, and in place thereof is substituted resilient stud and socket or other suitable form of fastening devices 12, which are arranged in the lower edge of the upper end of the receptacle and when said edges are brought together, are adapted to be engaged, thus securely holding the end of the receptacle in closed position.

While the receptacle is here shown and described as adapted to be attached to a key chain, it is obvious that the receptacle may be carried in the pocket without the provision of a key chain. It will also be understood that the keys may be engaged with the chain loop 6, by disconnecting one end of-the same from the ring 7, or providing for the separation of the links at any suitable point along the chain.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to-without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim is: a v

1. In a device of the character described, a receptacle having formed in its upper end a series of alined apertures, a chain loop freely passing through two of said apertures and adapted to support a bunch of keys, a second chain passing through the other of said apertures and adapted to individually support a special key, and means to hold said keys spread apart to facilitate their engagement with the case when the latter is moved over the keys and means to close the lower end of the receptacle after the keys are engaged therewith.

2. he device of the class described, a re ceptacle provided in its upper end with a plurality of alined chain-receivmg apertures, a flap adapted to close the lower end of the receptacle, a chain loop passing through two of the apertures of said receptacle and adapted to support a bunch of keys, a second chain passing through the other of said apertures and adapted to individually support a special key and a spreader bar slidably engaged with the chains and adapted to be drawn into the receptacle with the keys, and means for connecting the chains to a key ring.

8. In a device of the class described, a receptacle provided in its upper end with a plurality of alined chain-receiving apertures, a flap adapted to close the lower end of the receptacle, a chain loop passing through two of the apertures of said receptacle and adapted to support a plurality of keys, a ring to connect the ends of said chain together, a second chain connected with said ring and passing through the other of said apertures, said second mentioned chain adapted to yieldingly support a special key, a spreader bar slidably engaged with the chains and adapted to be drawn into the receptacle with the keys and means for connecting said ring to a key ring.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- ALBERT H. FIELD.

Witnesses:

FRANK S. BURROWS, CAssms L. KNEELAND. 

